U.S. patent number 10,396,510 [Application Number 16/023,745] was granted by the patent office on 2019-08-27 for coaxial connector with compensator.
This patent grant is currently assigned to HUBER + SUHNER AG. The grantee listed for this patent is HUBER + SUHNER AG. Invention is credited to Haris Beganovic, Jurg Nussbaumer, Martin Wagner.
United States Patent |
10,396,510 |
Wagner , et al. |
August 27, 2019 |
Coaxial connector with compensator
Abstract
A coaxial connector includes a connector front end connectable
with a circuit board and a connector rear end connectable with a
coaxial cable. An outer conductor arrangement connectable with an
outer conductor of a coaxial cable at the connector rear end, which
has a compensator means arranged at the connector front end and has
at least one cup spring having a contacting zone configured to
contact a contact face of a circuit board to establish an
electrical interconnection between the outer conductor arrangement
and the contact face. The cup spring has a center aperture that is
at least partially encircled by the contacting zone. An inner
conductor arrangement includes a contacting tip configured to
contact a contacting point of a circuit board via the center
aperture of the compensator means to establish an electrical
contact between the inner conductor and the contacting point.
Inventors: |
Wagner; Martin (Steinach,
CH), Beganovic; Haris (Wittenbach, CH),
Nussbaumer; Jurg (Arnegg, CH) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HUBER + SUHNER AG |
Herisau |
N/A |
CH |
|
|
Assignee: |
HUBER + SUHNER AG (Herisau,
CH)
|
Family
ID: |
66999843 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/023,745 |
Filed: |
June 29, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
11/18 (20130101); H01R 13/2492 (20130101); H01R
13/17 (20130101); H01R 4/643 (20130101); H01R
12/7082 (20130101); H01R 9/0515 (20130101); H01R
24/50 (20130101); H01R 4/48 (20130101); H01R
12/714 (20130101); H01R 2103/00 (20130101); G01R
1/06722 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
24/50 (20110101); H01R 13/17 (20060101); H01R
13/24 (20060101); H01R 9/05 (20060101); H01R
4/64 (20060101); H01R 12/70 (20110101); H01R
4/48 (20060101); H01R 12/71 (20110101) |
Field of
Search: |
;439/578 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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WO 2013/072011 |
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May 2013 |
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WO |
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WO 2016/020190 |
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Feb 2016 |
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WO |
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WO 2017/125314 |
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Jul 2017 |
|
WO |
|
Primary Examiner: Patel; Harshad C
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Pauley Erickson & Kottis
Claims
We claim:
1. A coaxial connector (1) for electrically interconnecting a
coaxial cable (300) with a circuit board (50), the coaxial
connector (1) comprising a connector front end (2) connectable with
a circuit board (50) and a connector rear end (3) connectable with
the coaxial cable (300), the coaxial connector (1) comprising: a.
an outer conductor arrangement (200) connectable with an outer
conductor (320) of the coaxial cable (300) at the connector rear
end (3), having i. a compensator means (220) arranged at the
connector front end (2) comprising 1. at least one cup spring (230)
including a contacting zone (231) configured to contact a contact
face (53) of the circuit board (50) to establish an electrical
interconnection between the outer conductor arrangement (200) and
the contact face (53) and 2. the cup spring (230) including a
center aperture (232) that is at least partially encircled by the
contacting zone (231); and b. an inner conductor arrangement (100)
connectable with an inner conductor (310) of the coaxial cable
(300) at the connector rear end (3), having i. a contacting tip
(111) configured to contact a contacting point (52) of the circuit
board (50) via the center aperture (232) of the compensator means
(230) to establish an electrical contact between the inner
conductor (100) and the contacting point (52).
2. The coaxial connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cup
spring (230) is configured such that the contacting zone (231) can
be deflected in a direction essentially perpendicular to the
contact face (53) of the circuit board (50) when the contact face
(53) of the circuit board (50) is contacted.
3. The coaxial connector (1) according to claim 2, wherein the cup
spring (230) is attached to, and electrically interconnected with,
a mounting body (250) arranged at the connector front end (2).
4. The coaxial connector (1) according to claim 3, wherein the cup
spring (230) is retained by a retaining frame (260) arranged at the
mounting body (250).
5. The coaxial connector (1) according to claim 4, wherein the
mounting body (250) comprises a bearing face (252) that is
essentially normal to a longitudinal axis (Az) of the inner
conductor arrangement (100) and wherein the cup spring (230) is
attached to the bearing face (252) such that at least a part of it
can move relatively to the mounting body (250).
6. The coaxial connector (1) according to claim 3, wherein the cup
spring (230) comprises a sleeve (241) that is at least partially
arranged in a bore (251) of the mounting body (250).
7. The coaxial connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein outer
conductor arrangement (200) comprises an essentially circular
cross-section.
8. The coaxial connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cup
spring (230) is slotted, having at least one slot (233) that is
open towards the circumference (238) of the cup spring (230).
9. The coaxial connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cup
spring (230) is slotted, having at least one slot (233) that is
open towards the center aperture (232).
10. The coaxial connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cup
spring (230) comprises multiple slots (233) forming at least one
resilient finger (234) and wherein at least a portion of the
contacting zone (231) is arranged at the resilient finger
(234).
11. The coaxial connector (1) according to claim 10, wherein the at
least resilient finger (234) comprises a curved and/or bent free
end (241) and wherein at least a portion of the contacting zone
(231) is arranged at the free end (241).
12. The coaxial connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the
contacting zone (231) has an essentially annular shape.
13. The coaxial connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the
contacting zone (231) follows a closed curve.
14. The coaxial connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the
contacting zone (231) comprises a recess (236) configured to
receive at least one conductive trace (51) of the circuit board
(50).
15. The coaxial connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the
contacting zone (232) comprises multiple segments (235) separated
from each other.
16. The coaxial connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein in a
non-connected state the inner contacting member (110) protrudes
outwards from the center aperture (232).
17. The coaxial connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the
contacting tip (111) is arranged at an inner contacting member
(110) that is displaceable with respect to the outer conductor
arrangement (200).
18. A contact arrangement (500) comprising: a. at least one coaxial
connector (1) according to claim 1 and b. a circuit board (50)
comprising i. at least one contact face (53) configured to
electrically engage with the contacting zone (231) of the at least
one coaxial connector (1) and ii. at least on contacting point (52)
configured to electrically engage with the contacting tip (111) of
the at least one coaxial connector (1).
19. A connector assembly (10) to electrically interconnect at least
one contact point (52) of a circuit board (50) with at least one
coaxial electrical cable (300), comprising: a. at least one coaxial
connector (1) according to claim 1; b. at least one coupling means
(15) mechanically interconnected with the at least one connecting
device (1) and i. configured to establish a mechanical
interconnection with a corresponding coupling port (55) arranged at
the circuit board (50).
20. The connector assembly (10) according to claim 19, wherein the
connector assembly (10) comprises multiple coaxial connectors (1)
arranged in a specified pattern relatively to each other.
21. The connector assembly (10) according to claim 19, wherein at
least one coaxial connector (1) is at least partially arranged in a
connector housing (11).
22. The connector assembly (10) according to claim 21, wherein the
coupling means (15) is at least partially arranged in the connector
housing (11).
23. The connector assembly (10) according to claim 19, wherein the
coupling means (15) is configured to obtain a releasable mechanical
interconnection between the connector assembly (10) and a circuit
board (50).
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a coaxial connector for
electrically interconnecting a coaxial cable with a circuit board,
as well as to a connector assembly comprising such a coaxial
connector and to a contact arrangement comprising such a coaxial
connector.
Discussion of Related Art
US2013/0330944A1 was published on Dec. 12, 2013 on behalf of Andrew
LLC and discloses an electronic device with a spring-loaded
blind-mate electrical interconnect to be blindly mated with a
printed circuit board (PCB). The electronic device comprises a
housing and at least one RF interconnect. The RF interconnect
comprises an outer conductor, an insulator, and an inner conductor
that function in a manner similar to the outer conductor,
insulator, and inner conductor of a coaxial cable, respectively.
The inner conductor comprises a spring-loaded electrical contact
such as a POGO pin. An upper end of the outer conductor is
electrically coupled to the housing and a lower end of the outer
conductor is configured to electrically couple to a ground return
path of the printed circuit board. In its normally extended
position, the spring-loaded contact extends beyond the lower end of
the outer conductor, and the outer conductor limits the compression
distance of the spring-loaded contact. With such a device, proper
electrical contact between the outer conductor and the ground
return path of the PCB can only be ensured if the outer conductor
as well as the PCB have very low tolerances as well as the
electronic device is precisely aligned with respect to the PCB.
This may lead to cross-talk as well as it may limit bandwidth.
WO2013/072011 was published on 23 May 2013 on behalf of Rosenberger
Hochfrequenztechnik GmbH & Co. KG and discloses a connecting
member by which radio-frequency signals can be transmitted between
two printed circuit boards. The connecting member comprises a
tubular sheath, which has at least one opening for reducing the
axial stiffness in order to obtain a compensation for tolerances on
the positions of the two circuit boards to be connected. The outer
conductor comprises a first conductor with a tubular shell with two
ends provided for contacting the two circuit boards and at least
one opening to reduce axial stiffness for balancing the tolerance
with regard to the distance of the two circuit boards. The outer
conductor also comprises, as well as the first conductor, a second
conductor which is likewise of a tubular form, the first conductor
being in electrically conductive contact with the second conductor,
which electrically conductive contact is also axially mobile in
relation to a portion of the first conductor, the second conductor
being solidly connected to the first conductor over a portion. Such
a connecting member can only be used for establishing direct
connection between two circuit boards that are arranged at a
certain distance apart from each other and essentially in parallel
to each other. As well, depending on different parameters resonance
phenomena between the first and the second conductor can have a
negative effect on signal quality.
WO2016/020190 A1 was published on 11 Feb. 2016 on behalf of Siemens
Aktiengesellschaft and discloses an electrical contact assembly
that comprises a contact-establishing device having a deformable
contact segment. The elastically deformable contact segment
disclosed is provided for contacting two coaxial conductors.
WO2017/125314 A1 was published on 27 Jul. 2017 on behalf of the
applicant of the application at hand and discloses a connector
assembly that comprises a first connector having a housing which
holds at least one jack assembly with an inner conductor and an
outer conductor arranged coaxial to the inner conductor. The
connector assembly further comprises a second connector having a
socket with at least one opening extending in an axial direction.
The opening comprises a contact surface which in a mated position
is electrically interconnected to an outer conductor of the jack
assembly. In direction of the axial extension of the opening a
contact surface is arranged which in the mated position is
electrically interconnected to the inner conductor of the first
connector part. Such a connector assembly allows to obtain high
quality connection between coaxial cables and a circuit board.
However, for certain applications such a connector assembly
comprising a first and a second connector to be arranged on a
circuit board may not be optimal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to connect coaxial cables to circuit boards, such as
printed circuit boards (aka PCB), several types of connector
assemblies are known. Most of these assemblies comprise a first
member to be permanently interconnected mechanically and
electrically with at least one coaxial cable and a second member to
be permanently interconnected mechanically and electrically with
the circuit board, typically by a solder connection. Although such
connections typically offer high quality signal transmission, they
have certain drawbacks. As such, in chip development establishing
of such permanent connector members on circuit boards is relatively
complex and expensive. As well as connecting such members to a
circuit board typically also has a negative effect on the
mechanical characteristics of the circuit board. This in particular
holds true if multiple cables have to be interconnected to a
circuit board.
Different types of probes are known which have been designed to
contact specific contacting points or conductive traces on a
circuit board. However, in order to obtain high quality
transmission of signals such probe-type coaxial connectors
typically require very precise positioning and angular alignment of
the probe and the circuit board relatively to each other. In
addition, in many cases it is required that the probe must be
applied to the circuit board with a significant mechanical force in
order to obtain a proper electrical contact between the outer
conductor and the contact face of the circuit board to ensure
sufficient shielding of the inner conductor. Such shielding is
necessary in order to avoid cross talk. If the circuit board's
contact face has a certain asperity (respectively is uneven) and/or
precise angular alignment is not feasible, obtaining proper contact
may become impossible or may lead to mechanical damaging of the
circuit board to supercritical load stresses. This in particular
holds true if multiple probes have to be positioned and aligned at
the same time.
In order to solve at least one of the herein mentioned problems,
according to the present invention a coaxial connector for
electrically interconnecting a coaxial cable with a circuit board
typically comprises a connector front end to be interconnected with
a circuit board and a connector rear end to be interconnected with
the coaxial cable. According to the invention the coaxial connector
comprises an outer conductor arrangement to be interconnected with
an outer conductor of a coaxial cable at the connector rear end.
The outer conductor arrangement comprises a compensator means that
is arranged at the connector front end and has at least one cup
spring which comprises a contacting zone configured to contact a
contact face of a circuit board to establish an electrical
interconnection between the outer conductor arrangement and the
contact face. The cup spring comprises a center aperture that is at
least partially encircled by the contacting zone. The coaxial
connector further comprises an inner conductor arrangement to be
interconnected with an inner conductor of a coaxial cable at the
connector rear end and which has a contacting tip that is
configured to contact a contacting point of a circuit board via the
center aperture of the compensator means to establish an electrical
contact between the inner conductor and the contacting point.
Thus, a coaxial connector according to the present invention allows
to establish a sufficiently shielded electrical connection between
a circuit board and a coaxial cable without the need for a socket
or similar member arranged on a circuit board and without the risk
of inducing mechanical damage to the circuit board. In addition the
total force as well as local stress acting on the circuit board can
be reduced and/or limited.
Thus, an electrical contact between the inner conductor arrangement
and a contacting point of a circuit board can be established and at
the same time a high quality contact of the outer conductor with a
contact face of the circuit board can be obtained, without the need
of any special receiving/mating connector part integrated to the
circuit board. The inner conductor arrangement may also be the
inner conductor of the cable or partially be the inner conductor of
the cable.
According to a variation of the invention, the cup spring is
configured such that the contacting zone can be deflected in a
direction essentially perpendicular to the contact face of the
circuit board when the contact face of a circuit board is
contacted. Due to such a deflection, an electrical contact that
essentially extends all around the inner conductor can be
established between the outer conductor and the contact face of a
circuit board. This allows to obtain high quality shielding. The
resulting connection allows to obtain a predictable (somehow
predefined) ground contact, which makes higher bandwidth possible.
This in particular holds true if the contacting zone is divided
into multiple segments which may be deflectable essentially
independently from each other and hence allow to compensate
asperity of the circuit board's surface as well as minor
misalignments of the coaxial connector relatively to the circuit
board, as will be explained in more detail below.
Good results may be obtained if the connector has an elongated
shape (e.g. a cylindrical shape) wherein the contacting zone can be
deflected essentially in parallel to a longitudinal axis that
extends from the connector front end to the connector rear end. A
particularly good signal transmission as well as contacting of a
circuit board can be obtained if the cup spring has an essentially
circular cross section.
A particularly cost-effective variation of a connector may be
obtained if the cup spring is attached to, and electrically
interconnected with, a mounting body arranged at the connector
front end. Thus, assembly of the connector can be simplified.
Particularly good results may be obtained of the cup spring has an
essentially frustoconical shape which allows proper deformation
while maintaining small dimensions.
Good results may be obtained if the cup spring is made from copper
beryllium, spring bronze (e.g. BZ4a) or spring steel.
Good results may be obtained if the cup spring is retained by a
retaining frame arranged at the mounting body as will be shown in
more detail below. According to a variation of the invention, the
retaining frame is interconnected with the mounting body by means
of a snap-connection. Thus, a particularly simple assembly of a
connector becomes possible. Other types of interconnections are
possible, such as e.g. soldering or friction-type connections. Good
results may be obtained if the retaining frame is made from a
metal. However, for other applications the retaining frame may also
at least partially be made from a plastic, facilitating production
significantly. Using a retaining frame also allows an increase in
the variety of variations as thus different types of cup springs
may be applied using the same type of mounting body and/or
retaining frame.
Good results may be obtained if the mounting body comprises a
bearing face that is essentially normal to a longitudinal axis of
the inner conductor arrangement and wherein the cup spring is
attached to the bearing face such that at least a part of it can
move relatively to the mounting body.
For some applications, the cup spring may comprise a sleeve that is
at least partially arranged in a bore of the mounting body. Thus,
the number of components to be assembled can be reduced and hence a
particularly simple assembly becomes possible.
A variation of a connector which comprises components that can be
produced relatively easily and which is characterized by a
particularly good signal transmission can be obtained if the outer
conductor arrangement has an essentially circular cross-section.
Hence, e.g. at least the connector front end may have an
essentially cylindrical shape. Particularly good results may be
obtained with a variation of the connector that in general has an
essentially cylindrical shape. According to a variation of the
invention, the connector may also be angled.
A variation of a coaxial connector which particularly reliable
electrical interconnection between the cup spring and the circuit
board can be obtained if the cup spring is slotted. According to a
variation of the invention at least one slot is open towards the
circumference of the cup spring. Thus, resilient fingers can be
obtained, as subsequently will be explained. Alternatively or in
addition, the cup spring may be slotted, having at least one slot
that is open towards the center aperture.
Good results may be obtained if the cup spring comprises multiple
slots forming at least one resilient finger (preferably multiple
fingers e.g. distributed in circumferential direction) and wherein
at least a portion of the contacting zone is arranged at the
resilient finger. Thus, certain angular misalignments of the
connector with respect to the surface of the circuit board as well
as asperity of the circuit board's contact face can be compensated
particularly efficiently. This particularly holds true if at least
a portion of the contacting zone is arranged in the region of the
free end of the resilient finger (respectively the resilient
fingers if the cup spring comprises multiple resilient fingers).
For certain applications the at least resilient finger may comprise
a curved and/or bent free end and wherein at least a portion of the
contacting zone is arranged at the free end. Thus, the shape and
size area of the contacting zone can be designed in order to obtain
a certain mechanical loading on the circuit board and/or certain
electrical/electromagnetic coupling. In particular, the resilient
fingers may be curved such that the area of surface contact between
the cup spring and the circuit board increases with increasing
deflection of the resilient fingers (respectively total contact
pressure applied to the connector). Thus contact stress can be
controlled and consequently mechanical damage to the circuit board
be avoided, respectively proper electrical contact be ensured even
at low total contact pressure.
According to a variation of the invention that allows relatively
easy assembly, the cup spring comprises multiple resilient fingers
that are interconnected by a connecting ring. For certain
applications, the connecting ring may be a resilient ring.
Good results may be obtained if the contacting zone has an
essentially annular shape, as will be shown in more detail below.
The annular shape may e.g. be essentially circular or
elliptical.
In order to obtain particularly advantageous electrical properties,
the contacting zone may follow a closed curve (or path). Thus, good
shielding effects may be obtained for certain applications.
Depending on the application and/or type of circuit board, the
contacting zone may comprise a recess configured to receive at
least one conductive trace of a circuit board when the coaxial
connector is interconnected with the circuit board, as will be
explained in more detail below. Such a variation with a recess may
e.g. be used for printed circuit boards having signal conduction on
the same layer.
In a variation of the invention, the contacting zone comprises
multiple segments that are separated from each other. As such, the
multiple segments may be individual contacting (sub-) zones
arranged at resilient fingers as described herein and forming
together a total contacting zone. Hence, the contacting zone may be
divided in multiple segments by means of slots. Segments may be
displaceable essentially independently from each other. Thus, a
particularly good compensation of the surface asperity may be
obtained. However, the contacting zone may also be a single
continuous (or contiguous) area, as will be shown below with
respect to the figures.
For some applications, in a non-connected state the inner
contacting member may protrude outwards from the center aperture.
Thus, a more precise positioning of a connector with respect to a
contact point becomes possible. Hence, such a variation of a
coaxial connector is highly advantageous when e.g. being used as a
probe.
According to a variation of the invention, the contacting tip may
be arranged at an inner contacting member that is displaceable with
respect to the outer conductor arrangement. Thus, the contact
stress applied to the circuit board by means of the inner
contacting tip can be controlled, respectively limited, and
consequently mechanical damage be avoided and optimal signal
transmission be ensured. Good results may be obtained if the inner
contacting member is displaceable by means of an inner spring
mechanism. The spring characteristics of the inner spring mechanism
and the cup spring may be designed to work together in order to
obtain proper signal transmission and avoid mechanical damage to
the circuit board and/or to the coaxial connector. As well, such an
arrangement allows to compensate angular misalignments
efficiently.
Good results may be obtained if the coupling axis (or axis of
engagement) of the coaxial connector is essentially perpendicular
to the contact face of the connector circuit board.
The invention is further directed to a contact arrangement
comprising at least one coaxial connector as described herein
(respectively a connector assembly as will subsequently be
described) and a circuit board that comprises at least one contact
face configured to electrically engage with the contacting zone of
the at least one coaxial connector and at least on contacting point
configured to electrically en-gage with the contacting tip of the
at least one coaxial connector. Thus, a circuit board can easily be
contacted without the need of any receiving socket or contacting
pin.
The present invention is further directed to providing a connector
assembly to electrically interconnect at least one contact point of
a circuit board with at least one coaxial electrical cable. Such a
connector assembly typically comprises at least one coaxial
connector according to the invention as described herein. In
addition, the connector assembly comprises at least one coupling
means mechanically interconnected with the at least one connecting
device and configured to establish a mechanical interconnection
with a corresponding coupling port arranged at the circuit board.
Thus, a reliable permanent and/or releasable interconnection
between one or multiple coaxial cables and a circuit board can be
obtained, without the need of modifications to the electrical
design. Hence, electrical and mechanical design of the circuit
board can be essentially decoupled.
According to a variation of the invention, the connector assembly
may a multiple coaxial connectors arranged in a specified pattern
relatively to each other.
A very user-friendly variation of a connector assembly may be
obtained if the at least one connector is at least partially
arranged in a connector housing as will be shown in more detail
below. Alternatively or in addition, the coupling means may be at
least partially arranged in a (respectively the) connector
housing.
For some applications, the coupling means may be configured to
obtain a releasable mechanical interconnection between the
connector assembly and a circuit board. Particularly good results
may be obtained if the interconnection is releasable and
re-establishable.
In order to assist in proper positioning of a connector assembly
with respect to a circuit board, a connector assembly according to
the present invention may comprise a first guiding means that
interacts with corresponding second guiding means arranged at the
circuit board. Good results may be obtained if the first guiding
means comprises a guiding pin and the second guiding means
comprises a corresponding bore to receive the guiding pin.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description
and the following detailed description present embodiments, and are
intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the
nature and character of the disclosure. The accompanying drawings
are included to provide a further understanding, and are
incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The
drawings illustrate various embodiments, and together with the
description serve to explain the principles and operation of the
concepts disclosed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
The herein described invention will be more fully understood from
the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying
drawings which should not be considered limiting to the invention
described in the appended claims. The drawings are showing:
FIG. 1 schematically shows a variation of a connector assembly
according to the present invention when connected to a circuit
board in a perspective view from above;
FIG. 2 shows detail D of FIG. 1
FIG. 3 schematically shows a variation of a coaxial connector
according to the present invention in a perspective view;
FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal cross-section of the a coaxial
connector of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 shows the compensator means of the coaxial connector of
FIGS. 3 and 4 in a perspective view;
FIG. 6 schematically shows a longitudinal cross-section of the
front end of another variation of a coaxial connector according to
the present invention having another type of compensator means;
FIG. 7 schematically shows the compensator means of FIG. 6 in a
disassembled state;
FIG. 8 schematically shows a longitudinal cross-section of the
front end of another variation of a coaxial connector according to
the present invention having another type of compensator means;
FIG. 9 schematically shows the compensator means of FIG. 8 in a
disassembled state;
FIG. 10 schematically shows a variation of a cup spring for a
coaxial connector according to the present invention in a
perspective view.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments,
examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in
which some, but not all features are shown. Indeed, embodiments
disclosed herein may be embodied in many different forms and should
not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein;
rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will
satisfy applicable legal requirements. Whenever possible, like
reference numbers will be used to refer to like components or
parts.
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 depict a variation of a connector assembly 10
according to the present invention that is interconnected to a
circuit board 50 in order to establish electrical contact between a
series of coaxial cables 300 and several corresponding contacting
points 52 of conductive traces 51 arranged on the circuit board 50,
as shown in more detail in FIG. 2. The connector assembly 10
comprises eight coaxial connectors 1 which are arranged in a
specific pattern to be aligned with corresponding contacting points
52 on the circuit board 50. The coaxial connectors 1 are arranged
in a connector housing 11 which ensures correct alignment of the
coaxial connectors 1 as well as facilitates operation of the
connector assembly 1l0. The connector assembly 10 further comprises
a coupling means 15 that is partially arranged in the connector
housing 11 and in the variation shown comprises a threaded part
(not visible) configured to establish a mechanical interconnection
with a corresponding threaded coupling port 55 arranged at the
circuit board. Thus, the connector assembly 10 can be releasably
interconnected with the circuit board 50. As well, the coupling
means 15 and the coupling port 55 help to align, respectively
position, the coaxial connectors 1 and the contacting points 52
relatively to each other. In the variation shown, the coupling
ports 55 are essentially threaded and slotted sleeves that can be
easily snapped in openings (bores) arranged in the circuit board
50.
The variation of a coaxial connector 1 as illustrated in FIG. 1 and
FIG. 2 and shown in more detail in subsequent FIG. 3 to FIG. 5,
allows to obtain a high quality electrical interconnection between
a contacting point 52 and a contacting tip 111 arranged at an inner
contacting member 110 of an inner conductor arrangement 100 that is
interconnected with the inner conductor 310 of an associated
coaxial cable 300. As schematically shown in FIG. 4, the inner
conductor arrangement 100 is at a connector rear end 3
(respectively cable entry end) interconnected with the inner
conductor 310 of a coaxial cable 300 by means of a solder
connection. The inner conductor arrangement 100 is held by means of
an inner bearing 105 such that no electrical contact with an outer
conductor arrangement 200 is established. The inner conductor
arrangement 100 comprises an inner contacting member 110 that in
the region of the connector front end 2 has a contacting tip 111
arranged to establish an electrical interconnection with a
contacting point 52 of a circuit board 50. The inner conductor
arrangement 100 further comprises an inner spring arrangement 120
which allows the inner contacting member 110 to move relatively to
the outer conductor arrangement 200 along a longitudinal axis Az of
the coaxial connector 1, as indicated by the bold double arrow.
As depicted in FIG. 2 to FIG. 5, the embodiment of a coaxial
connector 1 according to the invention shown comprises an outer
conductor arrangement 200 that can be interconnected with an outer
conductor 320 of a coaxial cable 300 at a connector rear end 3.
Therefore, the connector comprises a outer conductor member 210
which has a in the region of the connector rear end 3 soldering
openings 213 which can be used to establish a solder connection
(not shown) with the outer conductor of the coaxial cable. The
outer conductor member shown further comprises an outer shoulder
214 at which an outer spring element 270 can be arranged. The outer
spring element 270 can be used in order to allow certain
displacements of a coaxial connector 1 relatively to a connector
housing 11, as illustrated in FIG. 1.
The coaxial connector 1 shown further comprises a compensator means
220 that is arranged at the connector front end 2 and comprises an
electrically conductive mounting body 250 that that is mechanically
and electrically interconnected with the outer conductor member
210. At the frontal side of the mounting body 250 a cup spring 230
is attached, which comprises a contacting zone 231 configured to
contact a contact face 53 of a circuit board 50, as illustrated in
FIG. 2. Thus, an electrical interconnection between the outer
conductor arrangement 200 and the contact face 53 can be
established. The cup spring 230 has a center aperture 232 as shown
e.g. in FIG. 5. Said center aperture 232 is partially encircled by
the contacting zone 231. The contacting zone 231 of the variation
shown in FIG. 1 to 5 is divided into multiple segments by means of
slots 235, the segments forming sub-zones of the contacting zone
231. The segments are arranged such that they essentially follow a
circular path/curve, forming an (open) annular contacting zone
(231). As already mentioned, the variation of a coaxial connector 1
as illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 5 comprises a cup spring that the
cup spring 230 that is slotted, respectively comprises multiple
slots 235 which form resilient fingers 234 that can be deflected
essentially in parallel to a longitudinal axis Az of the coaxial
connector 1 as schematically indicated by the dotted arrow in FIG.
5. As shown, the slots 235 are open towards the center aperture 232
of the cup spring 230 and the contacting zone 231 is arranged at
the free end of the resilient fingers 234. The resilient fingers
234 are mechanically interconnected by means of a connecting ring
240 which is also used in order to mechanically interconnect the
cup spring 230 with the mounting body 250 e.g. by means of a
positive or non-positive connection or a solder connection (not
shown).
The cup spring 230 further comprises a recess 236 that is
configured to receive a conductive trace 51 as illustrated in FIG.
2. Thus, a contacting point 52 being part of a conductive trace 51
can be contacted by means of the inner contacting tip 111 without
interfering with the outer conductor arrangement 200, while still
sufficient electromagnetic shielding is provided.
The contacting tip 111 of the inner conductor arrangement 100 of
the variation of a coaxial connector 1 shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 5 is
configured such that it can contact a contacting point 52 of a
circuit board 50 via the center aperture 232 of the compensator
means 230 in order to establish an electrical contact between the
inner conductor 100 and the contacting point 52, as illustrated
e.g. in FIG. 2. As illustrated in FIG. 4, in the variation of a
coaxial connector 1 shown, in a non-connected state the inner
contacting member 110 protrudes outwards from the center aperture
232. This facilitates positioning of the coaxial connector 1 with
respect to a contacting point of a circuit board 50. However, for
certain applications a variation of a coaxial connector 1 according
to the present invention may also comprise an inner contacting
member 110 which in a non-connected state does not protrude from
the center opening 234.
FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 illustrate another variation of compensator means
220 where the cup spring 230 is also slotted, having slots 235 that
are open towards the center aperture 232, forming resilient fingers
235 at which a segmented contacting zone 231 is arranged. The
variation of a compensator means 220 shown in these figures
comprises a retaining frame 260 that can be attached to a mounting
body 250 in order to retain the cup spring 230 by a positive
locking. In the embodiment 220 shown, the cup spring 230 comprises
a connecting ring that is designed such that minor displacements of
the cup spring 120 in a plane (x/y-plane) perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis Az become possible, as well as twisting of the
connecting ring 240. Therefore the mounting body 250 comprises a
bearing face 252 that is essentially normal to a longitudinal axis
Az of the inner conductor arrangement 100 and the cup spring 230 is
attached to the bearing face 252 by the retaining frame 260. Hence,
a compensator means 220 that has advantageous mechanical properties
for certain applications can be obtained. The retaining frame 260
of the variation shown can be mechanically interconnected with the
mounting body by means of a snap-connection, as illustrated in FIG.
6. Thus, assembly of the coaxial connector 1 can be significantly
facilitated. As also shown, the variation of a compensator means
220 as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 comprises a rotation lock 237
which prevents relative rotations between the cup spring 230 and
the mounting body 250 about the longitudinal axis Az and hence
ensures that the recess 236 is always arranged at the specified
location which is important in order to prevent unwanted electrical
contact between the outer conductor and a conductive trace of a
circuit board. Such a rotation lock may also be applied in all
variations of a coaxial connector 1 according to the present
invention, hence is not limited to variations having a retaining
frame 260.
FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 depict another variation of a compensator means
230 for a coaxial connector 1 according to the present invention.
The embodiment shown comprises a sleeve 241 that is partially
arranged in a bore 251 of a mounting body 250. The cup spring 230
is slotted, having multiple slots 233 which are open towards the
circumference 238 of the cup spring 230. A segmented connecting
zone 231 is arranged at the free ends 239 of resilient fingers 235
formed by the slots 233 A coaxial connector 1 comprising such a
variation of a compensator means variation of the invention allows
easy assembly of the compensator means 220.
FIG. 10 schematically shows another variation of a cup spring 230
that may be used for certain variations of a coaxial connector 1
according to the present invention. The cup spring 230 has an
essentially frustoconical shape and comprises multiple curved slots
233 arranged circumferentially distributed around the shell
surface. In contrast to the variations shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 9,
this embodiment of a cup spring 230 has a continuous contacting
zone 231, respectively is not segmented. Such a design is
advantageous for the transmission of certain signals. In order to
compensate asperity of a circuit board, the wall thickness of the
cup spring 230 at the contacting zone 231 is decreased.
Rather, the words used in the specification are words of
description rather than limitation, and it is understood that
various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention.
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